With the payroll tax cut extended through the end of the year, unemployment insurance reformed, and the Medicare doc fix achieved, many of the president’s top legislative priorities have been accomplished more than nine months before the national elections this fall. It’s an unusual state of...

Today, the House of Representatives and Senate both quot;passed a deal to extend the payroll-tax-cut through year-end, continue unemployment benefits and avoid a steep cut in Medicare doctors#39; fees,quot; as the Wall Street Journal reports . The House passed the measure 292-132 (91 Republicans and 41 Democrats were against it) while the Senate#39;s vote was 60 to 36 (30 Republicans, 5 Democrats and 1 ...

The vote to extend the payroll tax holiday will highlight a contrast between Republicans leaders in the House and Senate. Read more...

Despite a week of public grousing and finger-pointing, payroll tax cut conferees and staff still hope their ultimate deal will avoid both a tax increase and a reaffirmation of a do-nothing Congress.

The congressional impasse over extending the payroll tax cut became a showdown Tuesday between President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner.